Craving a lush, tropical garden but live in a chilly climate? There are broad, exotic leaves, vibrant blooms, and maybe even a hint of sweet fruit, all thriving in temperatures that would make a palm tree shiver.
These 11 unexpected plant picks will prove that even in the coldest climates, a touch of the tropics is within reach.
1. Rose of Sharon
A symbol of the tropics, this shrub is easy to care for and offers a wide range of flower colors.
- Scientific Name: Hibiscus syriacus
- Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Tropical Vibes: Large, colorful flowers reminiscent of tropical hibiscus
2. Pawpaw Tree
A North American native, this tree offers a taste of the exotic with its edible fruit and lush foliage.
- Scientific Name: Asimina triloba
- Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Hardiness Zones: 5-8
- Tropical Vibes: Large, dramatic leaves and unique, tropical-flavored fruit
3. Japanese Painted Fern
This shade-loving fern adds a touch of Asia to woodland gardens with its unique foliage.
- Scientific Name: Athyrium niponicum
- Sun Requirements: Partial to full shade
- Hardiness Zones: 5-8
- Tropical Vibes: Colorful fronds in shades of silver, green, and burgundy
4. Grass Pink
A North American native orchid, this wildflower brings a hint of tropical elegance to meadows and bogs.
- Scientific Name: Calopogon tuberosus
- Sun Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Hardiness Zones: 2-9
- Tropical Vibes: Delicate, orchid-like flowers in shades of pink and white
5. Maypop
A fast-growing vine, this North American native offers both beauty and a taste of the tropics.
- Scientific Name: Passiflora incarnata
- Sun Requirements: Full sun
- Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Tropical Vibes: Unique, complex flowers and edible fruit (maypops)
6. Hairy Toad Lily
This late-summer bloomer adds a touch of the unusual to shady gardens with its captivating blooms.
- Scientific Name: Tricyrtis hirta
- Sun Requirements: Partial to full shade
- Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- Tropical Vibes: Spotted, orchid-like flowers with a unique, exotic appearance
7. Hardy Fig Tree ‘Chicago Hardy’
This fig variety is known for its exceptional cold hardiness and ability to produce fruit in colder climates.
- Scientific Name: Ficus carica ‘Chicago Hardy’
- Sun Requirements: Full sun
- Hardiness Zones: 5-10 (with protection in Zone 5)
- Tropical Vibes: Large, lobed leaves and sweet, edible fruit
8. Hardy Fuchsia
Several fuchsia varieties can withstand colder temperatures, bringing a bit of the exotic to temperate gardens.
- Scientific Name: Fuchsia magellanica
- Sun Requirements: Partial shade to full sun
- Hardiness Zones: 6-9 (with protection in Zone 6)
- Tropical Vibes: Showy, pendulous flowers in vibrant colors
9. Hardy Banana
While the fruit is not edible, this banana variety is prized for its dramatic foliage and cold hardiness.
- Scientific Name: Musa basjoo
- Sun Requirements: Full sun
- Hardiness Zones: 5-10 (with protection in Zones 5-6)
- Tropical Vibes: Large, paddle-shaped leaves that create a tropical canopy
10. Shieldleaf Rodger’s Flower
This shade-loving perennial adds a bold, architectural element to the garden with its tropical-looking foliage.
- Scientific Name: Rodgersia aesculifolia
- Sun Requirements: Partial to full shade
- Hardiness Zones: 5-7
- Tropical Vibes: Large, dramatic leaves resembling those of horse chestnut trees, and tall plumes of white flowers
11. Needle Palm Tree
This slow-growing palm is the most cold-hardy palm species in the world and can even tolerate snow.
- Scientific Name: Rhapidophyllum hystrix
- Sun Requirements: Partial shade to full sun
- Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- Tropical Vibes: Fan-like fronds and a unique, spiky trunk
With these 11 hardy yet exotic plants, you can embrace the beauty of the tropics right in your own backyard, no matter how low the mercury drops.
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Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.